The Colossus of Nero was a 30-metre (98 ft) bronze statue that the Emperor Nero created in the vestibule of his Domus Aurea, the imperial villa complex which spanned a large area from the north side of the Palatine Hill, across the Velian ridge to the Esquiline Hill in Rome. It was modified by Nero's successors into a statue of the sun god Sol. The statue was eventually moved to a spot outside the Flavian Amphitheatre, which became known, by its proximity to the Colossus, as the Colosseum.
Base of the Colossus of Nero near the Colosseum, prior to its removal
Coin of Emperor Nero showing the Colossus. Legend NERO CAESAR / AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS
Medallion showing on obverse Gordianus III, legend IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FELIX AVG. Reverse: bull contending with elephant within the Colosseum, seen from above; Colossus of Nero and Meta Sudans, and the Temple of Venus and Rome, or the Ludus Magnus on either side; legend MVNIFICENTIA GORDIANI AVG
Obverse: Laureate and draped bust of Severus Alexander to right, legend IMP CAES M AVREL SEV ALEXANDER AVG. Reverse: The Amphitheatrum Flavianum (”The Colosseum”). It is shown from the front, with four stories: the first with arches, the second with arches containing statues, the third with flat-topped pedimented niches containing statues, and the fourth with square windows and circular clupea; in a bird's eye view the circular interior can also be seen with two tiers of spectators. Outside, to left, Severus Alexander stands right sacrificing over a low altar; behind him is the Meta Sudans and a large statue of Sol. To right, a two-storied distyle building with two pediments and a male statue (Jupiter?) before. Legend PONTIF MAX TR P III COS P P
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was a Roman emperor and the final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 until his death in AD 68.
Head of Nero from an oversized statue. Glyptothek, Munich
Statue of Nero in his birthplace of Anzio, Italy
Relief from the Sebasteion depicting Nero and his mother, Agrippina
Bust of Nero as pharaoh
